t12papocrypha
Testament of Dan 4
Dan traces the internal mechanics of wrath: it does not arrive fully formed but works by stages — a word that stings, a deed that reinforces, a bitter punishment that disorders the mind, until the soul is perpetually disturbed and Jehovah withdraws His presence. Praise inflates, loss provokes covetous desire, voluntary suffering curdles into vexation, and vexation breeds lying — a twofold mischief that operates together to hand the soul to Beliar. The instruction is preventive: recognize the opening move, do not be moved at word or praise, and the chain breaks before wrath finds its foothold.
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Understand ye therefore the might of wrath, that it is vain. For it first of all stingeth him in word: then by deeds it strengtheneth him who is angry, and with bitter punishments disturbeth his mind, and so stirreth up with great wrath his soul. Therefore, when any one speaketh against you, be not ye moved unto anger. And if any man praiseth you as good, be not lifted up nor elated, either to the feeling or showing of pleasure. For first it pleaseth the hearing, and so stirreth up the understanding to understand the grounds for anger; and then, being wrathful, he thinketh that he is justly angry. If ye fall into any loss or ruin, my children, be not troubled; for this very spirit maketh men desire that which hath perished, in order that they may be inflamed by the desire. If ye suffer loss willingly, be not vexed, for from vexation he raiseth up wrath with lying. And wrath with lying is a twofold mischief; and they speak one with another that they may disturb the mind; and when the soul is continually disturbed, the Lord departeth from it, and Beliar ruleth over it.
